Gov. Burgum announces training for life-saving drug

Oct. 18, 2017

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum says state health and law enforcement agencies are being trained to use medication that reverses effects of opioids like heroin and oxycodone.

Burgum says a $2 million federal grant will be used for the training.

Burgum last month signed an executive directed cabinet agencies to work with law enforcement and local and tribal governments to make naloxone available to first responders, community leaders and individual opioid users and their family members.

Burgum's order says the United States is experiencing an "epidemic" of opioid addiction. He says North Dakota overdose deaths more than tripled between 2013 and 2015.